Four: San Juan

*Flashback*

13 years ago

You've got 1 message from Jaco Russ.

Jaco: Hi Chloe! :))

Chloe: Hello Jaco

Jaco: How are you?

Chloe: I'm fine, how about you?

Jaco: I'm fine too.

Chloe: that's good :))

Jaco: Chloe, can I get your number?

Chloe: Sure, here +639*********

Jaco: thanks, Chloe! :))

Chloe: you're welcome Jaco :))

Jaco: Chloe, can I ask you something?

Chloe: What is it?

Jaco: Do I still have a chance?

Chloe: Are you serious?

Jaco: I am always serious when it comes to my feelings towards you.

Chloe: Umm… I don't know Jaco

Jaco: Is it okay if you'll be my girlfriend?

Chloe: Ummm…

Jaco: Is it okay?

Chloe is offline.

I logged out and closed the laptop. I know Jaco's not serious about it. I rolled my eyes. And besides, we're still kids like, hello? I'm still going to turn fourteen years old two months from now. I'm still young to have a boyfriend. I grabbed my phone and texted Sydney about Jaco's chat. Well, I don't keep secrets with my cousin.

----

Knock knock

"Chloe, wake up!"

Knock knock

"Chloe eat your breakfast"

Knock knock

"Chloe!" Dad said while knocking on my door.

I loudly groaned when I heard Dad knocking and kept calling my name.

"Okay! Okay! Just stop knocking on the damn door!" I shouted. I heard his footsteps walk away from the door. Thank god! I locked the door before I went to sleep last night. I don't want him waking me up inside the room. It won't end well. I grab my phone at the bedside table and look at the time. Crap! It's still 8 a.m., I only got three hours of sleep because of the jetlag. Arrrgh! I stood up and went outside grumpy.

"Morning," Cy greeted. She was sitting on the loveseat couch in the living room.

"Yeah, whatever," I rolled my eyes. I sat beside Cy, and I checked any messages and e-mails on my phone. Suddenly, we heard my stomach grumble. Cy cackled, and I just groaned from embarrassment.

"I don't know about you, but I'm hungry" I stand up and walk my way to the kitchen. Cy's laugh died down and followed behind me.

"What are you making?" She asked.

"I'm making a sandwich," I got the plate in the cabinet and placed it on the table. I open the fridge, grab the mayonnaise and two slices of bread, and close it.

"Cy, can you please get me a butter knife," I said. I put the mayonnaise on the table and put two slices of bread on the plate. I open the fridge again and search for something light food that I can eat.

"There's food on the table. Dad reheated last night's leftover," Cy said while putting the butter knife on the plate.

"My stomach isn't used to heavy meals like I was still here in Cebu. In Canada, I eat a sandwich for my breakfast. It has been like that for the last three and a half years," I explained.

"Alright! Take a seat, and I'll cook you some eggs and bacon for your sandwich," Cy offered. I mouthed her thanks. I close the fridge and take my seat while watching my sister cook. Cy gets the frying pan in the cabinet and places it on the stove. She grabs one egg and two pieces of bacon in the fridge. I grow tired of watching her preparing my food, so I play candy crush on my phone while waiting for my food. Minutes later, Cy was done cooking. She placed the eggs and bacon on my bread and handed it to me. Tada! My food is ready to eat.

I stopped playing my candy crush and thank my sister for cooking my food. My mouth was watering just looking at my sandwich. It looks tasty, and the aroma of my food makes my stomach grumble.

"You're welcome, and you're washing the dishes," She said. I grab a bite of my sandwich.

"No problem," I said as I munched the sandwich.

"You want coffee, sis?" She asks.

"Yes, please."

Cy placed my coffee beside my plate and mouthed her thanks. She nodded and went to the living room, leaving me behind in the dining. After I finish my sandwich and coffee, I wash all the dishes and walk towards the veranda. I saw Sydney busy typing on her laptop.

"Hey Bessy, you're still here?" I sit beside her.

"Yeah, I have a few days off. I asked Uncle if I could stay here, he said he doesn't mind me staying for a few days," she said while busy typing her laptop. "Uh-huh," I grimaced. "Just like what you said, you have a few days off from work, but you're typing crazily on your laptop now," I pointed out. Sydney paused on what she was doing and looked at me.

"This is important," she sighs. "My manager needs it by tomorrow," I sigh.

"Well, I better not disturb you," she continued her work, and I stood up. I see my dad walking towards us, "Hey dad, I'm just going to walk around the neighborhood, okay?" Before he could speak, I waved my hand to him, turned around, and left quickly.

I was strolling around the neighborhood for about ten to fifteen minutes and decided to go to the shore. When I arrived, I sat on the sand, stared at the little waves splashing onto the rocks a few steps from me. I close my eyes, feeling the cold breeze coming from the sea, and listen to the relaxing sound of waves.

"I didn't expect to see you here," I froze from my spot. My heart thumping rapidly, I know that voice speaking right now. How could I forget? It's him.

"Why are you here, Jaco?" I asked. I kept my eyes closed, not bothering to open them. Afraid he will see my longing eyes for him, I can't do that, and I can't risk that. I felt him sit beside me and sigh, "I wasn't able to sleep well last night, and I want to be alone… to think," he explained.

I gained the strength to open my eyes and look at him. "Well, you need to be alone, so I have to go," I move myself to stand up, but Jaco grabs my wrist to stop me.

"No, please stay. I don't mind having you here." His eyes were pleading. I exhaled heavily. "Fine," I said, and he let go of my wrist. I move two feet apart from him. I don't want him to get close to me. We both stayed silent, not saying a word to each other. We're both face and looking towards the sea.

Why did I even agree to stay? I was avoiding him, remember Chloe? What are you doing, Chloe? You're just making it more complicated. I scolded myself.

"Do you remember, this is the exact spot you said yes to be my girlfriend?" He chuckled. I could feel his eyes staring at me, but I stopped myself from glancing because I don't want to get my hopes up. I'm afraid that if I stare into his eyes, I might see that we both have the same look, a look that we still love each other.

*Flashback*

8 years ago

San Juan

It was summer vacation, and my family was staying at Nana's house in San Juan. I was watching a k-drama when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I check my phone, and I see I have three new messages from Jaco.

Chloe…

I miss you, let's meet. Is it okay?

Let's talk for a few minutes

Jaco wanted to meet with me in San Juan. Is he insane? He knows how risky it is to meet in San Juan. Everyone knew my family, and I couldn't risk getting caught and someone telling them I'm with a guy. I'm contemplating my options. Well, He isn't my boyfriend for now, but I don't want to screw things off. If I don't go, he might think I'm not making an effort. I exhaled heavily and texted Jaco.

Umm… okay, but just a few minutes, okay? Dad and Nana might come home any minute.

Where do we meet?

Jaco texted me the place where we could meet. Last chance Chloe, are you really going to meet with him now? I do want to see him. It's been a while since we saw each other. What if Nana and Dad suddenly arrive and they couldn't find you when they get home. What would be your excuse? Ugh! Stop overthinking and do what you want, Chloe.

Alright, I'm on my way.

Dad and Nana haven't arrived yet, so I quickly snuck out of the house. I got nearer to our meeting place. I saw Jaco walking back and forth anxiously while waiting for me to arrive. His face looks worried. Did he think I wouldn't meet with him? I smiled ear to ear and decided to let my presence be known.

"Have you been waiting long?" I muttered. He sighed with relief when he saw me walking towards him.

"No, I just got here," Liar. His mouth gave a slight twitch when he said it. My heart is thumping rapidly, just the two of us alone. I look at him, and he also looks nervous. I guess we're still shy when we're alone together. There was a riprap wall, and Jaco gestured to sit there. We both got silent for a while and looked at the waves crashing.

"Chloe?"

"Hmm?"

Have you tried using a canoe?" I eyed him, looking puzzled. What is he planning now? I glanced at him and followed his gaze.

"Jaco," I warned. He glanced at me and grinned. "Kidding!" I rolled my eyes.

"Chloe, I mean to ask you this," His voice quivers.

"What is it, Jaco?" I looked at him and gave him a puzzled look.

"Do I still have a chance with you?" His voice suddenly became serious.

"Yes—" I sighed. "You know I like you, right?" It's just— not the right time. I promised my Dad I won't be having a boyfriend not until I graduated from university,"

If only you knew how badly I wanted you to be my boyfriend. My feelings for you grew deeper each day. I'm worried my family might not be supportive, me having a boyfriend at the moment. I frowned, just by thinking about it.

"Chloe,"

I glanced at him, and we stared at each other's eyes, "I will wait for you no matter how long it takes... because I love you," My heart flutters. I felt that he genuinely said those words.

Argh! Chloe, you've been waiting for him to say those three words, and now he did it. Why let him wait longer when he's been waiting for you for years already. Ugh! Suck it up, Chloe, and take the risk! Say yes!

I bit my lip as I closed my eyes. "Yes, Jaco."

I slowly opened my eyes, and his face looked puzzled.

"Yes? I'm confused, Chloe," I chuckled.

"Yes, Jaco. I want to be your girlfriend," I grinned. His face suddenly lit up as he realized what I meant.

"Really?" His voices were thrilled. I nod in return.

"Wait—but—but you said, you're not ready?" He asks. I saw the bewildered look on his face. I chuckled. "You don't want? Do you want me to take it back?" I teased.

"No! W—wait! Don't take it back," His voice quiver, looking panicked. I giggled by watching his face.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! You're my girlfriend now," he raised his fist in the air. I just giggled watching him. He looked at me and said, "You don't know how much you make me happy right now, Chloe," I looked into his eyes, and I could see how happy he was. I smiled at him.

I wrapped my arms around his waist. Hugging him, I felt his strong arms circle my shoulders. It felt so good hugging him, and I wouldn't trade it to anyone. We pulled away from the hug. "I'm so happy, Chloe!" He stared into my eyes. A blush creeps into my face, and I look away to hide it.

"Are you happy, Chlo?" he asks. He grabs my hand intertwined to his hands and holds it firmly. We looked at each other, "Yes, I'm ecstatic!" I grinned.

---

I didn't realize there were tears on my cheeks while I was reminiscing the memory. I slightly tilt my head and quickly wipe the tears away so he wouldn't see it.

"Y—yeah, I remembered," everything. I tilt my head down and bite my lip to stop myself from crying.

"You know, I'm happy—" he got interrupted by the sound of my phone ringing in my pocket.

"Sorry, I have to answer this," I grabbed my phone in my pocket, I looked at the screen, and I saw my sister's name calling me. I quickly answered it.

"Hello?"

"Sis, where are you?" she paused, "You've been away too long," she said.

"Crap! Sorry, I didn't notice. I'll be home in a minute, okay?"

"Alright, bye."

I hung up the phone and looked at him. "I have to go, Jaco. My sister was looking for me already," He smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. I turned around and walked away from him, but I stopped halfway and turned to face him again. He was still sitting, not moving an inch while staring at the sand.

"Jaco," He looked at me with a blank face.

"It was nice catching up with you," I wink at him. I turned around and didn't look back.